Sports reporter Tony Jones has reiterated his apology to Novak Djokovic’s team after some of his comments led the tennis superstar to boycott post-match interviews at the Australian Open. After defeating Jiří Lehečka to advance to the quarterfinals, Djokovic gave a brief statement on court instead of engaging in a full interview with commentator Jim Courier. He revealed he was boycotting the traditional post-match interviews due to “disrespectful and offensive remarks” made by Jones on host broadcaster Channel Nine.
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02-07, 2025Jones, while live-crossing to Nine News Melbourne on Friday, turned to the Serbian fans cheering loudly behind him and said Djokovic was “overrated” and “past it,” adding “kick him out,” a clear reference to Djokovic’s 2022 ban from the tournament due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. Jones said he was joking, but Djokovic did not take it that way, saying he had “mocked the Serbian fans” and called his comments “disrespectful and offensive,” hence his avoidance of the usual post-match television interviews.
The 10-time Australian Open champion told reporters after his match on Sunday that he would continue to boycott interviews until Jones and Channel Nine apologized. On Monday morning, Jones said he thought his comments on the live cross were “a bit of a joke” or “humor,” but that he had contacted Djokovic’s team and apologized 48 hours prior after learning “the Djokovic camp was very unhappy with the comments.” Jones stated on Channel Nine, “I still maintain my apology to Novak now, if he felt any disrespect, and he clearly did.” The official broadcaster also issued a public apology.
Channel Nine said in a statement, “Channel Nine apologizes for any offense caused to Novak Djokovic by recent comments made during a live cross. There was no intention to cause offense to Novak or his fans. We look forward to showcasing his Australian Open journey further at Melbourne Park.” Regarding “mocking” the Serbian fans, Jones said he thought he had a good relationship with them, but he also realized that they perceived it as disrespectful to them. Nina Marković from the Serbian Council of Australia (SCOFA) said her organization received many complaints after Jones’ comments, with fans stating they were encouraged by the broadcaster to cheer loudly behind the camera during the live cross.
“Some of the fans who were there at the time almost felt like they were being used,” Marković told ABC Radio Melbourne. SCOFA is now calling for Mr. Tony Jones to resign and for Channel Nine to issue a formal public apology to the Australian Serbian community. Jones said on Monday that he appreciated the “color and passion” provided by the Serbian fans. He stated, “I do feel like I let the Serbian fans down. I’m not saying that to get out of trouble. I genuinely feel sorry for those fans. If I could turn back time… I think the place where I crossed the line, in hindsight, and where I really upset Novak Djokovic and his camp, was the final line I said in the back and forth with the crowd: ‘Kick him out.’ That’s what upset Novak, and I completely understand that now. So, it’s an unfortunate situation, it’s been a personal hurt for Novak, it’s been a personal hurt for me, but I think the priority now is to get the focus back on the tennis.”
Jones said he had proactively offered to meet with Djokovic for a face-to-face apology. He said, “I can only reiterate to Novak what I said to him 48 hours ago, which is that if he felt I was disrespectful to him, I apologize. I should also add that in correspondence with Novak’s team, I’ve agreed to meet them in person to discuss it all. They’ve replied saying ‘yes, we’d be happy to meet in person.’ That hasn’t happened yet, but I’m confident it will happen in the next 24 hours.” Djokovic has long enjoyed the Australian Open, winning a record 10 singles titles between 2008 and 2023, but that relationship shifted several years ago.
Djokovic claimed earlier this month that the food he received in quarantine before his deportation from the 2022 Australian Open was “poisoned.” Australian Darren Cahill, who currently coaches the world’s number one ranked male player Jannik Sinner, stated on ESPN that the 37-year-old may still be hurting from that incident, as he analyzed the situation for American audiences, which included attempting to describe Jones’ role hosting The Footy Show. “I’m sure Tony was trying to be funny, but it was inappropriate and I don’t blame Novak for being offended by it,” said Cahill, with former world number four James Blake agreeing.
This isn't the first time Jones' name has been mentioned unfavorably by a star at this year's Australian Open. American drama queen Danielle Collins was referred to as a “brat” by Jones on 3AW radio, after Collins told the crowd to kiss her backside after her second-round win against Australian Destanee Aiava. “I love this old guy. Tony? Tony Jones? This old… sorry to anyone over 70 in the room. Sorry,” she said. “I just love that he called me a ‘brat.’ And, like, this is so Z-Gen and Millennial now. It’s Charli XCX, and I really want him to do the dance she does. He has to do it. He has to do it.”
The treatment of Collins has put the behavior of fans at Melbourne Park in the spotlight, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying on ABC Radio Sydney after Djokovic’s comments that “there should be more respect.” He said, “I think we need more kindness, generosity and respect, and I think people are looking for that. I think it’s wrong for people to boo someone for a mistake, but Australian fans are passionate, and it’s a great game.”
